Attack on the Mo Family

Mo Qingkuang exited the main hall and returned to his temporary residence in the palace, where he was recuperating from his injuries. A palace steward approached him with a delicately carved tray covered in red silk, emanating a chilling coldness. Even though the steward's hands trembled from the low temperature, he presented the tray to Mo Qingkuang. 

Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but feel excited, knowing that within the tray lay the Thousand Year Cold Jade promised to him by the empress. Carefully lifting the red silk covering, he revealed a crystal-clear crystalline structure resting peacefully on the tray. 

It exuded an otherworldly brilliance under the light, unlike the cloudy appearance of ice or the milky or green hues of jade. It resembled a flawless crystal, radiating peculiar colors in the light, truly a marvel to behold. 

"This is the Thousand Year Cold Jade?" he sighed in admiration. Such a divine object not only possessed powerful effects but also exuded extraordinary beauty. Even as an ornament, it would undoubtedly attract many admirers. 

"That's right, this is the heirloom treasure of our Han family, the Thousand Year Cold Jade. It's yours for the next year. Take good care of it. If it's lost, your life won't be enough to compensate for it," Han Yan nodded, pouting slightly. 

The Empress's indifference earlier still left a lingering fear in her heart. Fortunately, Mo Qingkuang's exceptional value saved him from a possible refusal even if she had agreed to lend it to him for a year. 

It was known that even she had rarely used this treasured artifact. Typically, it required layers of requests within the family to be temporarily used, and after the breakthrough, it had to be returned. 

To be able to use it for a year, Han Yan couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy in her heart. 

Mo Qingkuang assured her, "Don't worry, as long as I'm alive, the jade will be safe." 

As Mo Qingkuang took the Thousand Year Cold Jade into his hands, he felt a rush of coldness spreading throughout his body, lowering his temperature and even slowing down the flow of his true qi. Yet, he remained undeterred, recognizing the value of such a treasure. 

Suddenly, he heard Mo Fan's voice in his mind, suggesting, "Try integrating the Thousand Year Cold Jade into your meridians, incorporating it into the flow of your true qi." 

Excited by the idea, Mo Qingkuang followed Mo Fan's instructions, sitting cross-legged on his seat and holding the Thousand Year Cold Jade in his hand. He focused his mind and guided a thread of true qi into the jade, where it formed a vortex of green qi. This qi flowed back into his body, creating a harmonious cycle. 

Feeling the new qi blend with his own, Mo Qingkuang shivered involuntarily but soon realized that the qi refined his true qi even further. 

"The effect is incredible!" he exclaimed, filled with joy. 

The cultivation process of the martial master realm revolves around condensing true qi. Once the true qi reaches a certain level of solidity, it can be expelled from the body, reaching the grandmaster realm. At that point, the attack range greatly increases, allowing for attacks from a farther distance even without relying on weapons. 

In particular, Mo Qingkuang's Nianhua Finger and Falling Flower Palm would truly unleash their power once he reached the level of expelling true qi. With the powerful assistance of the Thousand Year Cold Jade in his cultivation, Mo Qingkuang was confident that he could break through to the grandmaster realm within a year. 

As Mo Qingkuang was diligently cultivating and Han Yan sat quietly by with a peaceful smile, an untimely knocking interrupted the brief tranquillity. Mo Qingkuang slowly opened his eyes to see a servant entering to report, "Young Master Mo, Dean Zheng requests your presence." 

"Did the teacher mention what it's about?" Mo Qingkuang asked with a hint of confusion, and Han Yan also seemed curious. They had just finalized their strategy in dealing with Prime Minister Wang Hua's matter in the main hall, so why the sudden urgency to summon him again? 

Could there be some new discovery? 

Mo Qingkuang pondered for a moment. His analysis had garnered their attention, prompting them to specifically request his presence for consultation? Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it too much; he would find out once he arrived. 

"Do you want to come?" he turned to Han Yan and asked. 

Han Yan shook her head reluctantly. "I'll stay here. Dean Zheng asked for you specifically, and besides, my presence wouldn't be of much help." 

Mo Qingkuang's intellect and abilities had already been fully demonstrated in the hall earlier. Han Yan couldn't help but feel that not only was her talent lacking compared to Mo Qingkuang, but even her intelligence was far inferior. She felt a bit embarrassed about it. 

If someone like him still remained idle and ignorant, then what kind of individual could truly be called a genius? 

"Alright," Mo Qingkuang nodded, instructing the servant, "Lead the way." 

*** 

Following the servant, Mo Qingkuang was led outside the palace gates. To his surprise, he was taken directly to the outskirts of the palace. Standing there, outside the gatehouse, was Zheng Tao, accompanied by Wu Ming, who was always by his side. 

"Master," Mo Qingkuang hurried forward and greeted Zheng Tao with a bow. 

"No need for formalities. I called you here urgently because there's bad news," Zheng Tao sighed, looking somewhat apologetic. 

Bad news? Mo Qingkuang's heart skipped a beat. 

"Qingkuang, your family is in trouble." 

"What! What happened to them? And my father? Is he okay?" Mo Qingkuang's expression changed drastically upon hearing the news, his tone urgent. 

"I promised to relocate the Mo family to settle in the capital, but unfortunately, your family, with its large population, and the slow pace of the journey, was attacked by the disciples of the Yuan Sword Sect near the southern border, just before entering the territory of the Central Province." 

"Just as I left the palace gates, I received an urgent report. The Yuan Sword Sect dispatched Martial Venerable-realm experts, and the losses suffered by our elite guards were severe. Countless members of the Mo family were killed or injured, and your father... his whereabouts are unknown." 

Zheng Tao furrowed his brow. Mo Qingkuang was his only direct disciple, and he had entrusted the family to him. But now, he felt a deep sense of guilt for not being able to protect them. 

"As you saw in the hall earlier, there are numerous affairs in the capital that demand my attention. I can't leave at the moment. So, I'm sending Wu Ming with you. But don't worry, I believe your father will be fine!"